IT JUST goes to show – a keen eye and a quick hand can be worth all the expensive equipment in the world!

After we invited the latest recruits to the Oxford Mail Camera Club to send us their animal-themed pictures this week, we got as many beautiful shots from camera phones as we did from 35mm digital SLRs.

One of the most charming of all was this serendipitous selfie sent in by Oxford City Council street cleaner Ian Bell.

Mr Bell, who lives in Faringdon, was out on the job when he made a new friend, and whipped his camera out just in time to capture the moment.

He joked: "It's always nice to meet a friendly feline when out and about litter picking in Jericho."

Another domestic scene was caught when Donna Cassettari sent in this puppy portrait of her daughter's beagle Harley.

Some slightly more 'wild' life was captured in two hunting herons photographed by Steve Ward and Dan Grealy.

One of the most stunning shots was this masterpiece by Charley Lawson, showing the moment two majestic swans come in to land on the Thames just outside the King's Arms in Sandford-on-Thames.

This is just a tiny selection of the dozens of photos we were sent this week, and we're just sorry we don't have space to show them all.

We will announce our animals theme winner, who will take this week's £25 prize, in this Saturday's Oxford Mail.

And as animals was clearly such a popular theme, for next week we've decided to go for a slightly more challenging topic: water.

Whether it's people punting down the River Cherwell, a wild waterfall in the woods or the rain dripping off an Oxford college gargoyle, so long as it's wet we'll take it.

Don't forget that all photos sent in will be considered for a 2018 Oxford Mail calendar.

And, as our Camera Club picks up pace over the coming weeks and months, members will be also be invited to regular meet-ups at the Oxford Mail offices where our award-winning photographic team can offer technical advice and top tips.

Joining us in this venture is photographic specialists Jessops, which has branches in Oxford, Didcot and Heyford Hill. They will be offering Oxford Mail Camera Club members discounts of up to 30 per cent on a range of products and services.

Our members will also automatically qualify for an Oxford Mail Loyalty Card which offers discounts at a range of shops, services and facilities across the county – from buy-one-get-one-free meal offers to cut-price health and beauty treatments.